This is for every teacher who refuses to be blamed for the failure of our society to erase poverty and inequality, and refuses to accept assessments, tests and evaluations imposed by those who have contempt for real teaching and learning.

Pages

Monday, November 24, 2014

The Administrators of the Badass Teachers Association Denounces Decision of Ferguson Grand Jury!

The Administration of the Badass Teachers Association denounces the decision of the Ferguson Grand Jury not to indict Officer Darren Wilson in the killing of Michael Brown. The decision and actions of officials, at all levels in Ferguson since the shooting, reflect what we feel to be a gross insensitivity to the legitimate demands for transparency, understanding and justice, as expressed by the local community in Ferguson and the wider community, black, brown and white, across the country. Michael Brown was someone’s child, a beloved student, and a valued community member of Ferguson.

The failure to indict must not be the end of the issues raised by the killing of Michael Brown, nor should it be an excuse for further repression of the peaceful outrage this failure of justice will provoke. The real issues of economic inequality, police brutality, and institutionalized racism are a national shame. Failure to confront these issues in Ferguson only adds fuel to the fire of continued injustice everywhere.

The BATs Administration demand Federal Civil Rights charges be immediately brought against Officer Wilson and demand the Justice Department immediately launch investigations into the actions and policies of the Ferguson Police, including hiring protocols, training and procedures, as well as investigation into the actions and processes of local and state officials, with regard to the denial of First and Fourteenth amendment rights.

BATs stand in solidarity with the Ferguson community, children, and teachers!

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. " ~Dr. Martin Luther King